• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2002.03a
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• pp.431-438
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• 2002

Reclaimed coastal areas for the construction of ports and harbors are in general subjected to strong possibility of liquefaction. In this research, a new method for liquefaction hazard microzonation based on liquefaction settlements was developed. Severity of liquefaction hazard was defined by liquefaction settlements obtained from the method proposed by Tokimatsu and Seed. 10 coastal areas, representing typical geological and geotechnical characteristics of Korean ports and harbors, and 3 real earthquake records for site response analysis were selected. From this research, liquefaction settlement criteria is adapted as a new quantitative index for the liquefaction hazard microzonation. Liquefaction settlements were also compared with LPI (Liquefaction Potential Index), obtained from the assessment of liquefaction potential based on the modified Seed and Idriss's method. As an example, 2 and 3 dimensional liquefaction hazard microzonations of Pusan port and harbor area were mapped by overlapped liquefaction settlement contours.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.125-144
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• 2015

This paper presents the probabilistic seismic microzonation of densely populated Kolkata city, situated on the world's largest delta island with very soft alluvial soil deposit. At first probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of Kolkata city was carried out at bedrock level and then ground motion amplification due to sedimentary deposit was computed using one dimensional (1D) wave propagation analysis SHAKE2000. Different maps like fundamental frequency, amplification at fundamental frequency, peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), peak ground displacement (PGD), maximum response spectral acceleration at different time period bands are developed for variety of end users, structural and geotechnical engineers, land use planners, emergency managers and awareness of general public. The probabilistically predicted PGA at bedrock level is 0.12 g for 50% exceedance in 50 years and maximum PGA at surface level it varies from 0.095 g to 0.18 g for same probability of exceedance. The scenario of simulated ground motion revealed that Kolkata city is very much prone to damage during earthquake.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.139-150
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• 2007

As computer technology has been rapidly advanced, geographic information system (GIS) is recently used in many disciplines. In this study, for a model area in Seoul, seismic hazard potential relating to site effects, which are influenced by the subsurface geotechnical conditions, was estimated using the GIS tool. The distribution of pre-existing borehole drilling data in Seoul metropolitan area was examined for the regional estimation of site-specific seismic responses at the model area. Spatial geo-layers across the entire model area were predicted by constructing a GIS-based geotechnical information system (GTIS). A microzonation of site period $(T_G)$ for estimating site-specific seismic responses at the model area was performed within the GTIS. The spatial microzoning map of $T_G$ indicated seismic vulnerability of two- to four-storied buildings in the model area. Furthermore, a site classification map for determining the design ground motion was established based on the $T_G$ within the GTIS. This informed that most of location in the model area was categorized into current site classes C and D. This seismic microzonation framework for the model area could be applicable particularly in the entire Seoul metropolitan area based on the pre-existing borehole data.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2012

The spatial variation of ground motion in Kolkata Metropolitan District (KMD) has been estimated by generating synthetic ground motion considering the point source model coupled with site response analysis. The most vulnerable source was identified from regional seismotectonic map for an area of about 350 km radius around Kolkata. The rock level acceleration time histories at 121 borehole locations in Kolkata for the vulnerable source, Eocene Hinge Zone, due to maximum credible earthquake (MCE) moment magnitude 6.2 were generated by synthetic ground motion model. Soil investigation data of 121 boreholes were collected from the report of Soil Data Bank Project, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Surface level ground motion parameters were determined using SHAKE2000 software. The results are presented in the form of peak ground acceleration (PGA) at rock level and ground surface, amplification factor, and the response spectra at the ground surface for frequency 1.5 Hz, 3 Hz, 5 Hz and 10 Hz and 5% damping ratio. Site response study shows higher PGA in comparison with rock level acceleration. Maximum amplification in some portion in KMD area is found to be as high as 3.0 times compared to rock level.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 1991

Applications of microtremor to geological engineering are widely reviewed and observed microtremors are processed to show evidences of close relationship between the predominant periods of microtremor and underground structure. The ground vibrates continuously at all times and the elastic vibration is called microtremor (0.5-20Hz) or microseisms (0.01-0.1Hz) according to their frequency range. The vibration is believed to have propagative nature like those of the dispersive surface waves or multireflected shear waves. Microtremors were recorded at selected thress places of which subsoil structures are well distinguished in the Kyongsang Sedimentary Basin. It is found that the underground structures estimated from microtremor analysis coincide well with the known structures. The microtremor analysis of the long period range can be an inexpensive and effective tool in geological engineering for the evaluation of the underground structure, site-specific reponse spectrum, and seismic microzonations.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.197-214
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• 2010

The paper presents a methodology for developing earthquake damage and loss scenarios for urban areas, as well as its application to two cities located in Mediterranean countries, Grevena (in Greece) and D$\ddot{u}$zce (in Turkey), that were struck by strong earthquakes in the recent past. After compiling the building inventory in each city, fragility curves were derived using a hybrid approach previously developed by the authors, and a series of seismic scenarios were derived based on microzonation studies that were specifically conducted for each city (see companion paper by Pitilakis et al.). The results obtained in terms of damage estimates, required restoration times and the associated costs are presented in a GIS environment. It is deemed that both the results obtained, and the overall methodology and tools developed, contribute towards the enhancement of seismic safety in the Mediterranean area (as well as other earthquake-prone regions), while they constitute a useful pre-earthquake decision-making tool for local authorities.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.821-845
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• 2016

Extensive researches on distribution of earthquake induced damages in different regions have shown that geological and geotechnical conditions of the local soils significantly influence behavior of alluvial areas under seismic loading. In this article, the site of Babol city which is formed up of saturated fine alluvial soils is considered as a case study. In order to reduce the uncertainties associated with earthquake resistant design of structures in this area (Babol city), the required design parameters have been evaluated with consideration of site's dynamic effects. The utilized methodology combines experimental ground ambient noise analysis, expressed in terms of horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratio, with numerical one-dimensional response analysis of soil columns using DEEPSOIL software. The H/V spectral analysis was performed at 60 points, experimentally, for the region in order to estimate both the fundamental period and its corresponding amplification for the ground vibration. The investigation resulted in amplification ratios that were greater than one in all areas. A good agreement between the proposed ranges of natural periods and alluvial amplification ratios obtained through the analytical model and the experimental microtremor studies verifies the analytical model to provide a good engineering reflection of the subterraneous alluviums.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.189-206
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• 2011

Amplification based on empirical relations is widely used for seismic microzonation of urban centers. Amplifications are used to represent the site effects of a particular soil column. Many empirical correlations are available to estimate the amplification of seismic waves. These correlations are based on the ratio of shear wave velocity of foundation/rock to soil velocity or 30 m equivalent shear wave velocity ($Vs^{30}$) and are developed considering deep soil data. The aim of this work is to examine the applicability of available amplification relations in the literature for shallow engineering bedrock sites by carrying out site response studies. Shear wave velocity of thirteen sites having shallow engineering bedrock have been selected for the study. In these locations, the depth of engineering bedrock (> 760 ${\pm}$ 60 m/s) is matched with the drilled bore hole. Shear wave velocity (SWV) has been measured using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave survey. These sites are classified according to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) classification system. Amplifications for an earthquake are arrived for these sites using empirical relations and measured SWV data. Site response analysis has been carried out in SHAKE using SWV and using synthetic and real earthquake data. Amplification from site response analysis and empirical relations are compared. Study shows that the amplification arrived using empirical relations does not match with the site response amplification. Site response amplification is much more than empirical values for same shear wave velocity.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.207-232
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• 2011

The development of reliable earthquake mitigation plans and seismic risk management procedures can only be based on the establishment of comprehensive earthquake hazard and loss scenarios. Two cities, Grevena (Greece) and D$\ddot{u}$zce (Turkey), were used as case studies in order to apply a comprehensive methodology for the vulnerability and loss assessment of lifelines. The methodology has the following distinctive phases: detailed inventory, identification of the typology of each component and system, evaluation of the probabilistic seismic hazard, geotechnical zonation, ground response analysis and estimation of the spatial distribution of seismic motion for different seismic scenarios, vulnerability analysis of the exposed elements at risk. Estimating adequate earthquake scenarios for different mean return periods, and selecting appropriate vulnerability functions, expected damages of the water and waste water systems in D$\ddot{u}$zce and of the roadway network and waste water system of Grevena are estimated and discussed; comparisons with observed earthquake damages are also made in the case of D$\ddot{u}$zce, proving the reliability and the efficiency of the proposed methodology. The results of the present study constitute a sound basis for the development of efficient loss scenarios for lifelines and infrastructure facilities in seismic prone areas. The first part of this paper, concerning the estimation of the seismic ground motions, has been utilized in the companion paper by Kappos et al. (2010) in the same journal.